Creature Comforts in Goa

In the spirit of my blog, I've decided (At Once!) to dramatically class it up for the last remaining days of my Indian vacation. It's only money after all and you can't take it with you. Plus, I'm going to need something decadent and beautiful to get me through the transition back into Law Firm Life. Egads! Is it possible that I have to start work in just 7 days? (A brief vision of myself in a strait jacket rocking back and forth in a padded cell mumbling to myself flashes before my eyes, but I fight it off by looking out the window at the palm trees - Sigh).

The reason I need to class things up, in addition to those listed above, is that I spent last night in a plywood shack. That's right, a shack made of plywood with a woven palm frond roof. Apparently plywood shacks are the residence of choice for visitors to Palolem Beach in Goa - the most idyllic beach in Goa and the site of the opening scene in the Bourne Supremacy (totally cool). There are perks to living in plywood. It cost only 200 rupees (about $4), and it was right on the beach. The sound of the waves was so strong last night that it sounded as if my bed were floating just on top of the ocean.

Despite the perks, I decided one night of bumming around on the beach was plenty. If I were traveling for a year and I had all the time in the world, living for a time in a beach shack would be the perfect way to while away the time. However, I'm down to 4 days before I must fly home to New York. I'm on a tight schedule! I have only 96 hours left! I can't spend them all hot and sweaty in a hut made of plywood! I'm 32 and I'm a lawyer for god's sake! A big time New York lawyer! I searched the beach high and low and found the nicest bungalows at Ciarin's Camp. The bungalows at Ciarin's Camp are also made of plywood but they have attached bathrooms, surround a beautifully manicured courtyard, and have on site a terrific restaurant that specializes in fresh, healthy-ish, veggie fair.

After transporting my belongings - which get heavier and heavier with each spree of shopping I do in each city - down the beach to Ciarin's Camp, I spent the rest of the day lounging around, had breakfast, and had a swim in the ocean. The water here is nice, though brownish in color from all the silt that's been stirred up by the changing weather. Apparently the monsoon strikes these parts around June, and the water has started to get churned up in anticipation of the coming rains. After a few hours of enjoying Ciarin's Camp I decided I needed to class things up a notch further. Apparently the luxury I experienced in Bombay rubbed off a little too much on me

So, after a bit of research and a few calls, I booked myself a room for tomorrow night and the next at the Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa. It's a luxury hotel right on the beach that has a pool and a spa!! I actually feel like quite an adult making such a reservation. Other than the time I stayed with my brother in a super posh hotel in Bangkok, or two nights ago in Mumbai, I can't recall another time I've stayed at a fancy hotel on vacation. Granted, on family trips when I was younger of course, but never as an adult paying for it by myself. Usually I'm partial to the cute guesthouse option (not just because they're more affordable, but mainly because they're charming). In India, however, the cute guesthouse option is hard to find.

I think this is just what I need. To finish this vacation off in style and in a setting that optimizes relaxation, rejuvenation, pampering, and some quiet introspection. I anticipate feeling deliriously happy the minute I check into my room. It has a kind sized bed too! It's going to cost a pretty penny, but honestly I'm going to make it back in no time starting next week, and it's worth it because it's going to make me happy.

And that's what I'm about these days, making myself happy now. At once.